Invalid kernel-memory reads via inquiry-cache race
Published Oct 18, 2026 · Updated Oct 18, 2026
Use-after-free in Linux Bluetooth hci_sync allows attackers to trigger invalid kernel-memory reads via concurrent inquiry operations. hci_acl_create_conn_sync() and hci_stop_discovery_sync() read inquiry-cache entries without hdev->lock while a concurrent HCIINQUIRY ioctl frees them. Triggering requires concurrent local ioctl and Bluetooth command activity; the published evidence establishes invalid reads, not privilege escalation or a specific service-interruption outcome.
Summary
What happened
Use-after-free in Linux Bluetooth hci_sync allows attackers to trigger invalid kernel-memory reads via concurrent inquiry operations. hci_acl_create_conn_sync() and hci_stop_discovery_sync() read inquiry-cache entries without hdev->lock while a concurrent HCIINQUIRY ioctl frees them. Triggering requires concurrent local ioctl and Bluetooth command activity; the published evidence establishes invalid reads, not privilege escalation or a specific service-interruption outcome.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-98737
- Published
- Oct 18, 2026
- Updated
- Oct 18, 2026
- Vendor
- The Linux Kernel Organization
- Product
- Linux
- Classifications
- Unavailable
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- Unavailable
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Oct 18, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Oct 18, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
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- Affected versionversion=5.17
- Affected versionversion=cf75ad8b41d2aa06f98f365d42a3ae8b059daddd <333257e6e4a7bcaaea82fd357121d0f1e6b76c7b
- Affected versionversion=cf75ad8b41d2aa06f98f365d42a3ae8b059daddd <52edf1c0e59dea37b8368c4a2559dca96b2fdfea
- Affected versionversion=cf75ad8b41d2aa06f98f365d42a3ae8b059daddd <8ed67535fdff40ca652bcd4ac7da68d11d01bd34
- Affected versionversion=cf75ad8b41d2aa06f98f365d42a3ae8b059daddd <a642f498f0b08f2aa9f4a69468db92f57a72349d
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
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Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.
Activity data is delayed. The latest report is Sep 28, 2026.
Weakness, pattern, technique
No sourced classifications are available.
Public exploit references
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Technologies
Your stack
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